Ahmedabad: The Department of Posts (India Post) takes a significant step toward mainstreaming philately within the educational system by launching officially the “Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana,” a scholarship scheme designed to nurture the interest and aptitude for philately among students. The initiative aims to promote the hobby of stamp collecting as an engaging and educational pursuit.
Shri Krishna Kumar Yadav, Postmaster General of the North Gujarat Region, Ahmedabad, announced the scheme, stating, “The Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana offers a scholarship of ₹6,000 per annum to meritorious students from classes 6 to 9 who have demonstrated academic excellence and adopted philately as a hobby.” He further emphasized the importance of this initiative in fostering a love for philately and encouraging students to explore this unique hobby.
Details about Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana:
- Scholarship Details: The scholarship, amounting to ₹6,000 per annum, will be disbursed at ₹500 per month, payable on a quarterly basis.
- Eligibility: To be eligible, students must be enrolled in a recognized school in India. The school should have a Philately Club, and the candidate must be a member of the club. If the school lacks a Philately Club, students with their own Philately Deposit account in a Post Office are also eligible. A Philately Deposit account can be opened with an initial amount of ₹200.
- Academic Criteria: Candidates must have secured at least 60% marks or an equivalent grade in their last final examination. A relaxation of 5% is applicable for SC/ST candidates.
Selection Process:
The selection for the scholarship will be conducted in two stages:
- Philately Written Quiz: A divisional-level quiz featuring 50 multiple-choice questions will be held on 30th September 2024.
- Philately Project: Students who qualify at the divisional level will be required to submit a Philately project by the first week of November 2024. A committee comprising Postal officers and eminent philatelists will evaluate the projects at the circle level.
Each Postal Circle will award a maximum of 40 scholarships, with 10 students selected from each class (6 to 9). Selected students must open a joint account with their parents, either in a Post Office or India Post Payments Bank, to receive the scholarship.
Application Deadline: Interested students must apply in the prescribed format by 18th September 2024 to be considered for the examination and subsequent scholarship selection.
Postmaster General Shri Krishna Kumar Yadav expressed his optimism about the scheme’s impact, stating, “The Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana is not just about scholarships; it is about instilling a passion for philately among young minds. This hobby provides a unique blend of education, relaxation, and enjoyment, offering students a stress-free and instructive experience.”
